Metal News - Published on Mon, 10 Dec 2018

Reuters reported that Vedanta Zinc International, a unit of diversified miner Vedanta Resources, has not been deterred from investing in an energy intensive zinc smelter in South Africa despite regular power shortages in the country. Vedanta plans to invest up to USD 800 million in a zinc smelter in Gamsberg in the Northern Cape province. It has already completed a first phase of a zinc mine there, which is expected to produce 4 million tonnes of ore per year.

Mr Vedanta Zinc International chief executive officer Mr Deshnee Naidoo said that “If you just look at grid capacity there is surplus power available.”

Mr Deshnee said the firm would also look at generating some of its own power to supplement power from Eskom for the energy-intensive smelter. He said that “We are absolutely looking at building our power plant here as well.”

The firm said it will require around 200 megawatts of additional power for the refinery.